Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I was the first one to get up, since there's really no point in sitting in cold, wet snow.

By the time I had brushed off the remainders of snowflakes, Peter and Susan had gotten to their feet as well.

Walking a little ways further into the forest, Susan looked like she were wishing this were a nightmare and that she'd wake up any second.

"I don't think 'sorry' would quite cover it, would it?" Peter said to Lucy with remorse.

"No, it wouldn't….." Lucy held a snowball behind her back and threw it at Peter. It hit him right in the face. "But that might!" she said triumphantly.

I started laughing and was hit by a snowball; I quickly defended myself against Peter.

An angry "HEY!" cut off our fun, for Susan had thrown one at Edmund and it was obvious that it was not appreciated.

"You little liar! Apologize to Lucy…..say you're sorry!" Peter took a threatening step toward his brother.

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry." Edmund said sulking.

"That's alright; some little children don't know when to stop pretending." Lucy said with a smile.

"Very funny." He muttered.

"You're right! It is funny. Funny how Lucy was right all along … funny you mocked her when she was hurt already. Oh," Here I paused as if pretending to think, "And isn't funny how all along, you knew she was right?" I spat the last five words.

They all looked at me in surprise (Edmund was bordering on loathing), I just smiled.

I knew we couldn't walk around in winter with no coats; I went to Peter and whispered something in his ear. He smiled and nodded. Peter and I went to wardrobe and pulled out warm, fur coats. I gave Lucy my old one that I had outgrown. Peter chose the one that my Godfather had 10 years ago, he handed Susan a spare that I had. Peter picked for Edmund a girl coat. Which he promptly noticed and said, "But that's a girl coat!"

To which Peter replied "I know."

I bit back a chuckle, and got my white mink.

Susan's eyes immediately widened. I was slightly embarrassed; you see, my Father insisted on my getting that coat. Needless to say, he didn't hear much protest from me! But although I was used to society and all its judgmental thoughts, I wasn't used to the Pevensie's (or anyone else's) awed stares.

"Shouldn't we go look around?" to my astonishment, Edmund said that.

Why would he say that? I mean, he'd be the LAST person I'd expect to say that…..wait! He's been here before…maybe he met someone he shouldn't have, hmmm….. I thought.

"I think we should let Lucy decide." Peter said with firmness in his voice that allowed no argument.

"I'd like you all to meet Mr. Tumnis!" Lucy said excitedly. He was evidently the talking faun. Hey stranger things have happened….none which immediately comes to mind…..

So we trudged along over the mountain, until Lucy broke out a full run.

We dashed after her, not knowing what the matter was. A sight met my eyes. The door, well at least I assume it was the door, was broken in half. Stepping in after Peter and Susan, I saw a long scroll of paper. Peter took it off the nail, and read it. From the sounds of it, it was warrant for Mr. Tumnis for "fraternizing with humans, and for high treason against Her Imperial Majesty Jadis Queen of Narnia and Empress of the Lone Islands."

Lucy was sniffling as she explained to us that she really wasn't Queen at all; she was a horrid person who made it winter and never Christmas.

"We can call the police." Peter said obviously not thinking, since the warrant was signed 'Maugrim captain of the Queen's secret police'.

"These ARE the police." Susan pointed out.

"Don't worry, Lu we'll think of something." Peter promised her.

"Why? I mean, he's a criminal." Edmund said, making me again wonder who he had met.

"Psst" said what looked like it was bird? Wait, a bird?!

"I'm going to have a chat with my Godfather he keeps in his wardrobe" I said emphatically, making everyone laugh although a bit nervously.

"Psst." it said louder.

So we all left what used to be Mr. Tumnis' house. The bird flew away!

Then of all the strangest sights I had seen since I arrived in….where ever it was that I was….Ah yes I remember Lucy called it 'Narnia'. It was a beaver! I couldn't believe it!

Peter began 'clicking' at it as one might do to a dog.

"Well I ain't gonna sniff it, if that's want you want." it said.

We all jumped back slightly.

"Lucy Pevensie?" is asked softly.

She nodded and it proceeded to take a white cloth that I recognized as a handkerchief, Lucy's handkerchief.

"But that's the handkerchief I gave to…to..."

"Mr. Tumnus. I know he got it to me when he got wind of his arrest." the beaver supplied for Lucy. It looked at Peter and Susan and Edmund with a calculating expression on its face.

It suddenly backed up in utter astonishment when it saw me.

"Are you Clara Vincent?" it said dumbfounded.

"Yes, I am…" I was racking my brains trying to figure out where I had met him, and then I remembered it was beaver.

"My Lady. We have been awaiting your appearance with great anticipation." Here it bowed very low.

To say I was astonished was an understatement.

"What?"

"Follow me." it turned and disappeared.

Lucy began to follow, but Edmund said in an overly loud whisper "How do we know we can trust him?"

"He says he knows the faun." Peter said with a shrug.

"He's a beaver, he shouldn't be saying anything!" Susan pointed out.

"What's the matter?" the beaver inquired poking its head out.

"We're just talking." Peter said.

"That's best left for safer quarters."

"He means the trees." Lucy said knowingly.

The rest of us looked at her with raised eyebrows and then followed the beaver.

It was a good thing we had coats for it was bitterly cold. I was walking with Susan and started asking her about her life back in Finchley.

"Oh, we lived-live in a moderate size house." She said.

I didn't fail to notice the hurried change of words.


As I climbed over the ridge and looked below and saw what I assumed to be the Beaver's house.

"If I find you've been out with Badger again I'll….Oh those aren't badgers…." Said what could only be Mrs. Badger.

We all went inside and sat down, well Edmund sat in the back.

Why does he always act so…so immature? Like he's better than everyone else……Like he's a King. I was jerked from my thoughts by Lucy's push on my arm.

"My Lady, like I said, we have awaited your arrival for a very long time. Your coming is further proof that the White Witch's reign is coming to an end... I hope you will claim your title and the responsibilities that come with it. " the beaver stopped, evidently waiting for me to say something.

"What?!"

"Did your Father not tell you?" it asked, clearly that was not the answer I gave was not the one he wanted.

"My father is dead." I answered tersely.

I heard the gasps of the others behind me, but paid them little heed.

"That…that being the case, the title falls to you." It said.

"Title? What title?" I asked genuinely intrigued.

"Didn't your father tell you anything? I thought he would've said something to you by now." It said wearing a puzzled look.

"My father was rarely with me. And whenever he was, he never mentioned anything except that I was to be someday Lady Vincent."

"You never told us that." Peter said with a slight hint of accusation.

I snorted softly. "And why would I tell you?"

"Because we're your friends!" Lucy said.

"We are?" Edmund spoke up at last.

"Yes, we are." Susan said putting an emphasis on 'we'.

"Your father was the Guardian of the Throne. Since the White Witch wanted the throne, Aslan sent him far away to protect him. Because he's now dead, the title is now yours. You have a duty to protect the throne and heirs to the throne with your life." Mr. Beaver looked pointedly at the Pevensie's.

"We're not who you think we are!" Peter said frustrated.

"We're from Finchley!" Susan interjected.

"I'm sorry, but we have to leave. Ed?...Ed…." Peter called.

Edmund was no where to be found.

"I'm going to kill him." Peter vowed adamantly.

"You may not have to. Has Edmund ever been to Narnia before?" Mr. Beaver asked.

I felt an agonizing burn through my chest.

I fell to the ground, my face relaying how much pain I was feeling.

"You're feeling it! You need to go. Save Edmund, save Narnia!" Mr. Beaver said.

I half-heartedly scowled.

I reluctantly headed out into the dark of night. Burdened with a mission that I had no say in. Risking my life to save a boy I detested. This was not my day.